Duty to Promote Democracy

In 2009 The Department for Communities and Local Government and the Community Development Foundation commissioned Involve and LGiU  to help develop the best practice guidance for the Duty to promote Democracy - the statutory duty on local authorities to promote understanding of local governance systems and opportunities for members of the public to be involved.

Involve and LGiU conducted the following activities to achieve this:

1. Research:

This research was undertaken to inform the production of best practice guidance. The research explores what councils and their partners are already doing to promote democracy and what works; it looks at the challenges for implementing the duty, and explores the issues that stakeholders in Government, councils, and the third sector want to see covered in the best practice guidance.

Using a mixed research methodology Involve and LGiU conducted a series of research activities including: four stakeholder workshops in regional locations, four public focus group, a national quantitative online survey, as well as desk research and targeted telephone interviews.

The report includes analysis of the broad national trends which are contextualised by qualitative insight. Key messages relating to how councils can best promote information about decision-making arrangements in their local area and increase the uptake of civic roles are given in the report's recommendations.

 2. Practical Guidance:

Involve and LGiU will be developing the best practice guidance and disseminating this nationally.

Further information about the project please contact: mailto:laurie@involve.org.uk